'Significant progress achieved in peace talks' -World Bank official

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 December 2002, 13:49 GMT]The World Bank and the North East Provincial Council in Sri Lanka Thursday
signed an agreement for the immediate implementation of the North East
Emergency Reconstruction Programme (NEERP) at a cost of thirty one million
US dollars. "Significant progress has been achieved in the peace process
between the parties concerned and more funds would be made available soon
to assist affected people in the conflict areas," said Mr. Peter Harrold,
World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka addressing NEPC ministry
officials after signing the agreement.

Mr. Peter Harrold and Mr.S.Rangarajah, Chief Secretary of the NEPC signed
on behalf of their respective organizations Thursday at the auditorium of
the provincial ministry of health in Trincomalee.

"I am told that this is first time the World Bank has entered into an
agreement directly with NEPC in Sri Lanka. It
is a great pleasure for me to be in Trincomalee today to sign this
agreement on behalf of the World Bank," said Mr. Peter Harrold.

Mr.Peter Harrold and Mr.S.Rangarajah signing the agreement

As an effort to consolidate peace in Sri Lanka the World Bank
agreed on November 14 to provide US Dollar 31 million to improve the lives
and economic prospects of people living the conflict affected areas. The
funds were mobilized quickly in response to the immediate need for easing
the
hardships and as
part of a broader World Bank strategy to support Sri Lanka's national
economic reform and development in the context of the peace process, WB
sources said.

"The new financing will support an Emergency Reconstruction Programme
which will held restore primary health care; repair urban water schemes;
provide returning families with opportunities for income generation and
employment; and build capacity to undertake a multi-donor financed
reconstruction programme in the coming years. The North East Provincial
Council will administer the programme," said World Bank Country Director
Mr. Peter Harrold.

Mr.Rangarajah gave a small box made up of palmyra leaves to the World Bank
Country Director Mr. Peter Harrold as a gift.

Ms Speldwinde, Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Provincial
Councils and local Government also spoke. Later WB Country Director for Sri
Lanka conferred with the provincial ministry officials regarding the
implementation of the NEERP through various agencies of the NEPC, sources
said.